PREVALENCE OF PARASITES OF WATER BUFFALOES IN BANGLADESH

F. M. S. Islam1, M. H. Rahman2 and S. M. Z. H. Chowdhury3

Animal Health Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar 1341, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Summary

A total of 480 live buHaloes and 180 visceral samples from Dhaka, Mymensingh, Bogura and Rajshahi were examined for the presence of parasites of water buJTaloes in Bangladesh during Sep­ tember, 1988 to August, 1989. The recorded parasites were eight trematodes, two cestodes, fourteen , two protozoa and two arthropods. The trematodes were (18.9%-46.4%). Paramphistomes (Gigantocotyl explanatum, Ceylonocotyl scoliocoelium, Cotylophoron cotylophorum and Gaslrothylax crumenifer (29.5%-48.3%). Schistosoma indicum (1.6%-31.6%), S. spindale (13.9%-27.7%) and S. nasalis (4.6%-8.3%). The cestodes were Hydatid cyst (24.4%), Cysticercus tenuicollis (11.1%). The nematodes were Strongyloides papillosus (14.8%-21.6%), Capillaria spp. (C. bilobata, C. bouis) (8.5%-20.0%), Setaria digitata (7.2%), Onchocerca armillata (27.2%), Thelazia rhodesii (2.3%), Gon- gylonema pulchrim (3.9%), Oesophagostomum radiatum (6.6%-41.6%), Hookworms {Agriostomum vryb- urgi, Bunostomiim phlebotomum) (8.1%-17.2%), axei (11.2%-21.6%), Mecistocirrus digitatus & Haemonckus contortus (15.2%-25.5%) and Toxocara vitulorum (l.l%-9.8%). The protozoa were Elmer ia zuerni (2.3%) and Trypanosoma the tier i (0.4%). The arthropods were Haemaphysalis bispinosa (8.1%) and Haematopinus tuberculatus (34.6%). (Key Words : Prevalence, Parasites, Water Buffaloes)

Introduction samples from Dhaka, Mymensingh, Bogura and Rajshahi were examined for the prevalence of Water buffaloes are stronger and powerful parasites during the period from September for draft power than in Bangladesh. 1988 to August 1989. They also constitute a good source of milk, meat and hides. Amongst the factors responsible for Collection, preservation and identification of decreasing health, productivity and even mortality arthropods of buffaloes (Dewan et al., 1979), parasitic diseases Arthropod parasites (ticks and lice) were are of great importance. Very limited works on collected and preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol and the parasites of buffaloes had been performed these were processed for permanent mounting earlier by some workers (Bhuyan, 1970; Chowd­ using methods suggested by Cable (1967). Lice hury, 1970; Mollah et aL, 1970; Islam, 1982; were identified following the methods suggested Rahman, 1985). The present paper describes the by Ferris (1951), Buxton (1950) and Herms & prevalence of parasites of water buffaloes with James (1961). Ticks were identified as described the identification of 13 new of parasites by Hogstraal (1956), Roberts (1952) and Soulsby in Bangladesh. (1982).

Materials and Methods Examination of feces and nasal secretions Feces were collected directly from the rectum A total of 480 live buffaloes and 180 visceral and examined by Stolfs dilution technique. Nasal secretions were collected in a petridish, 10 drops 'Directorate of Livestock Service, Bangladesh. of 10% formalin was added and examined under 2Dept. of parasitology, BAU, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. microscope. Parasitic eggs/oocysts were identified 'Address reprint requests to Dr. S. M.乙 H. Cho­ wdhury, Health Research Division, BLRI, Savar as described by Soulsby (1982) and Samad 1341, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (1988). Received September 24, 1991 Accepted May 13, 1992 Examination of blood smear

601 AJAS 1992 Vol. 5 (No. 4) 601-604 ISLAM ET AL.

Blood samples were collected from ear vein This study revealed the presence of 28 species and thick smears were prepared on clean glass of parasites of water buffaloes in Bangladesh, slides. The smears were air dried, fixed by out of which 15 species were reported earlier methanol and stained by Geimsa's stain for (Chowdhury, 1970; Bhuyan, 1970; Mollah et al., detection of protozoa as described by Cable 1970 and Rahman, 1985) and 13 species of 1967). Protozoan parasites were identified acco­ parasites were newly recorded which were Coly- rding to Levine (1967) and Soulsby (1982). lophoron cotylophorum, Schistosoma nasal is, Str- ongyloides papillosus, Onchocerca armillata, Setaria Examination of vise이‘a digilata, Thelazia rhodesii, pulchrum, Heart, lungs, liver, mesentery and alimentary Oesophagostomum radiatum, Trichostrongylus axel, tract were separated and examined for the helm­ Mecistocirrus dig it at us, Heamonchus contortus, inth parasites following the procedure described Eimeria zuerni and Trypanosoma theileri. Studies by Cable (1967). Collection and preservation of conducted in India by Sharma et al. (1984), helminths were made according to Cable (1967) and Sharma et al. (1985), Sharma and Pande (1963); Soulsby (1982). Examination of helminths for and Yusuf and Chowdhury (1970) in Pakistan identification were made under stereoscopic and/or also recorded similar species of helminths in compound microscope and identifications were buffaloes. made based on system followed by Soulsby Incidence of Hydatid cysts in the liver of (1982), Belding (1965) and Yamaguti (1958). buffaloes (table 2) was slightly lower than the findings of Islam (1982). Incidence of Haemato- Results and Discussion pinus tuberculatus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa in buffaloes in the present study (table 1) were Prevelence of parasites on the basis of external almost similar with respectively those of Mollah examinations, examination of feces, nasal swab et ai. (1970) and Rahman (1985). Incidence of and blood is presented in table 1 and on the fascioliasis (table 2) is much more lower than basis of visceral examinations is persented in table 2. the finding of Bhuyan (1970). This might be due

TABLE 1. PREVALENCE OF PARASITES OF BUFFALOES ON THE BASIS OF EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS, EXAMINATION OF FECES, NASAL SWAB AND BLOOD

Total no. of Total no. Name of parasites animal/sample of positive Percentage examined cases

Fasciola gigantica 91 18.9 Paramphistomum spp. 142 29.5 Schistosoma indicum 8 1.6 Schistosoma spindale 67 13.9 Schistosoma nasalis 22 4.6 Strongyloides sp. 71 14.8 Capillaria spp. 41 8.5 Thelazia rhodesii 480 11 2.3 Oesophagostomum sp. 32 6.6 Hook worm 39 8.1 Trichostrongylus sp. 54 11.2 Haemonchus spjMecistocirrus sp. 73 15.2 Toxocara vitulorum 47 9.8 Eimeria zuerni n 2.3 Trypanosoma theileri 2 0.4 Haemaphysalis bispinosa. 39 8.1 Haematopinus tuberculatus. 166 34.6

602 PARASITES OF WATER BUFFALOES

TABLE 2. PREVALENCE OF PARASITES OF BUFFALOES ON THE BASIS OF VISCERAL EXAMINATIONS

Total no. of Total no. Name of parasites visceral sample of positive Percentage examined cases

Fasciola gigantica 84 46.6 Paramphistomum spp. (Gigantocotyl explanatum. 87 48.3 Ceylonocotyl scoliocoeliuni, Cotylophoron cotylop- horum and Gastrothylax crumenifer) Schistosoma indieum 57 31.6 S. spindale 50 27.7 S. nasal is 15 8.3 Strongyloides papillosus. 39 21.6 Capillaria spp. (C. bovis, C. bilobata) 180 36 20.0 Oesophagostomum radiatum 75 41.6 Hook worms (Agriostomum vryburgi, Bunostomurn 31 17.2 phlebotomum). Trichostrongylus axel 39 21.6 Mecistocirrus digitatusjHaemonchus contortus 46 25.5 Toxocai'a vitulorum 2 1.1 Setaria digitata 13 7.2 Onchocerca amillata 49 27.2 Gongylonema pulchnun 7 3.9 Hydatid cyst 44 24.4 Cysticercus tenuicollis 20 11.1

to variation in the sample size, period and place the herd composed of both weak and physically of studies, environmental factors and avaibility good buffaloes and these were also due to non­ of snails. Incidence of paramphistomes (Param- detection of very low infestation by feces exam­ phistomum explanatum, Gastrothylax crumertifer ination. In case of Toxocara sp., incidence was and Cotylophoron cotylophorum), Hydatid cyst, higher in feces than visceral examination (table Cysticercus tenuicollis, Strongyloides papillosus, 1, 2) as the Toxocara sp. was recorded mostly Bunostomurn phlebotomum and Agriostomum vry- among young buffaloes in feces examination and burgi, Onchocerca a/Tnillata, young buffaloes were almost absent among the and Thelazia rhodesii in buffaloes was higher slaughtered anim시s. (table 2) and the incidence of Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma spindale & S. indicum, S. nasalis, Capillaria spp., Haemonchus contortus, Mecistoc- Literature Cited irrus digitatus, Trichoslrongylus axei, Oesophago- stomum rad latum and Toxocara vitulorum in Belding, D. L. 1965. A Text Book of Parasitology. buffaloes was lower (table 2) than the findings (3rd Ed.) Meredith Publishers Co., New York, U.S.A. of R시iman and Mondal (1984) in cattle. The Bhuyan, M. A. 1970. A survey of h이minth parasiti­ reason might be due to variation in (i) susceptibility zing the livers of domesticated ruminants in East in buffalo and cattle, (ii) sample size, and (iii) Pakistan. M. Sc. (Vet. Sc.) Thesis, F. V. S., EPAU, place of studies. Mymcnsingh. The study revealed that incidence of different Buxton, P. A. 1950. The Louse, Edward Arnold and Co., London 164. helminths by feces examination were far less than Cable, R. M. 1967. An Illustrated Laboratory Manu시 what had been detected by visceral examination of Parasitology. (4th Ed.) Burgess Publishing Co., (table 1, 2). These differences were attributable Minneapolis, Mennesota, U.S.A. to slaughtering of weak and dibilited animals than Chowdhury, S. A. 1970. Survey and of the

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